Today on AirTalk, we discuss the controversy over party houses during the pandemic. Also on the show, we learn more about Disney's 'Mulan' release plans; answer your COVID-19 questions; and more.
From The Silver Screen To Your Living Room: Disney To Release ‘Mulan’ Digitally For $30
“Mulan” is no longer headed for a major theatrical release. The Walt Disney Co. said Tuesday that it will debut its live-action blockbuster on its subscription streaming service, Disney+, on Sept. 4.
But this is no “Hamilton”: Customers will have to pay an additional $29.99 on top of the cost of the monthly subscription to rent “Mulan." The company plans to release it in theaters in areas where Disney+ is not available. “In order to meet the needs of consumers during this unpredictable period, we thought it was important to find alternative ways to bring this exceptional family-friendly film to them in a timely manner,” Disney CEO Bob Chapek said on the company’s earnings call. “We see this as an opportunity to bring this incredible film to a broad audience currently unable to go to movie theaters.”
The live-action remake of the animated film was one of the first major films to be affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Originally set for a March 27 release, “Mulan” moved to late July, then late August and was then pulled from the calendar all together as COVID-19 cases spiked through the U.S.
Along with Warner Bros.’ “Tenet,” “Mulan” was going to be one of the first major movies to open in theaters since the shutdown. Exhibitors, most of which have been closed for over four months, have been desperate for new films that would help draw wary audiences back to theaters. But while Warner Bros. is moving forward with a theatrical release plan, which involves opening “Tenet” internationally first and then in select U.S. theaters a week later, on Sept. 3, Disney decided to pivot and direct consumers to its streaming service.
It is not unprecedented for a major studio to offer a premium video on demand release during the pandemic. Universal Pictures debuted “Trolls World Tour” on streaming in April while most theaters were shuttered. Although it caused a major rift at the time, it has since led to an historic compromise between the nation's largest theater chain and Universal to shrink its theatrical window to 17 days.
But few expected “Mulan,” a $200 million production, to go this route, even Disney. In late June, when announcing its delay to August, Disney executives Alan Horn and Alan Bergman wrote in a joint statement that “Mulan” was, “Everything the cinematic experience should be, and that’s where we believe it belongs-on the world stage and the big screen for audiences around the globe to enjoy together.”
Today on AirTalk, we’ll look at the chances for success with his release model and what it means for other major studios and theater owners going forward
With files from the Associated Press
Guests:
John Horn, host of the KPCC/LAist Studios podcast ‘Hollywood, The Sequel’; he tweets
Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at ComScore, a global media measurement and analytics company based in Sherman Oaks; he tweets
Some On Twitter Mourned COVID-19 Death Of Professor. Then They Found Out She Wasn’t Real.
Last Friday, former neurology Professor BethAnn McLaughlin posted on Twitter that her friend, an anonymous twitter user who was a queer and indigenous professor in the STEM field at Arizona State University, had died from COVID-19.
McLaughlin blamed the university for forcing its professors to continue teaching after the pandemic had begun. People on Twitter who had interacted with this professor mourned, some were angry with ASU. And then ASU announced that they did an investigation and that the dead professor was actually a hoax.
She was a hoax created by BethAnn McLaughlin, a former professor at Vanderbilt who rose to prominence for launching MeTooSTEM, and who also received criticism from colleagues for verbal abuse and problems in the organization.
We dive into the saga and it’s quick unraveling.
Guest:
Amanda Heidt, science reporting intern with The Scientist magazine who’s been following this story; she tweets
COVID 19 AMA: Worldwide Virus-Related Deaths Top 700,000
In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Shruti Gohil professor of medicine and associate medical director for epidemiology and infection prevention at UC Irvine’s School of Medicine.
Topics today include:
California’s test result data may be flawed, says top health official
Novavax Phase 1 data shows coronavirus vaccine is safe and elicits an immune response
Number of virus-related deaths worldwide tops 700,000
L.A. County issues order prohibiting gatherings
America is testing more, but survey finds results are too slow.
Moderna details coronavirus vaccine price
NYC to set up checkpoints for travelers
Guest:
Shruti Gohil, M.D., professor of medicine and associate medical director for epidemiology and infection prevention at UC Irvine’s School of Medicine
L.A. Residents Concerned About Short-Term Party Houses As Pandemic Rages On. How Are They Being Enforced?
As the coronavirus pandemic rages on and cases continue to rise, party houses have become a concern for some Los Angeles neighborhoods.
According to the L.A. Times, the Hollywood United Neighborhood Council has been attempting to combat issues within the large, short-term rental homes and has tried to get groups to wear masks.
A private house party in Beverly Hills Tuesday drew a crowd of around 200 and ended with gun violence. The party did not happen under an Airbnb reservation, but the home does appear to have been listed on a variety of rental websites. It’s unclear whether the homeowner was present for the gathering, but it sheds light on the challenges of enforcement when it comes to private gatherings, whether in a short-term rental or not. Some people say authorities have been slow to act on violators, even with a party house ordinance and home-sharing ordinance in effect. Regulating short-term rental properties has long been a concern in local communities, but worries are intensified because parties and gatherings could contribute to the spread of COVID-19.
Today on AirTalk, we discuss party houses and what enforcement looks like amid the pandemic. We want to hear from you. What are your concerns? Join the conversation by calling 866-893-5722.
We reached out to Airbnb, but they were unable to make someone available for an interview
Guests:
Richard Winton, investigative and crime writer for The Los Angeles Times who has been reporting on party houses; he tweets
Paul Koretz, Los Angeles city councilmember representing District 5, which includes the neighborhoods of Encino, Bel Air, Mar Vista and Palms; he tweets
Capt. Steve Lurie, Los Angeles Police Department Hollywood Division
Nick Greif, chief of staff for Los Angeles city Councilmember David Ryu; he tweets